Dearly beloved in Christ,

Greetings in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ.In May every year we celebrate the “Mother's Day” and in June “Father's Day”.  We as a Parish have decided to combine these two celebrations together and we will celebrate May 25th as “Parent's Day”. May I greet you all the Parents on behalf of our Parish.

In every culture and time period, the family has stood as the most fundamental human institution. Family is the starting point of life, the sustainer of well-being, and the school of love. A family begins with the joining together of man and woman, husband and wife, becoming father and mother – and parents. The most powerful of human bonds is the parent-child relationship. Commitment to family has always been a core value. Tragically, however, what was often held as a common value, recognized as common sense, even understood as self-evident in the past, is sometimes not so today. As our nation struggles with effects of family breakdown more and more voices are calling for a re-examination of our priorities and fundamental values. Too often we have let other concerns take precedence over our responsibilities as parents. Yet is there any more important calling than that of nurturing and raising a child? Unfortunately, our popular culture over the past several decades has emphasized self-fulfillment and self-gratification. Such focus on the self runs counter to the essence of parenthood, which fundamentally involves unconditional true love.

Parents' Day provides an opportunity to recognize and promote parenting as a central vocation for our families and communities. More than just a time to celebrate, it is an occasion to make a statement about what is important in our society. It is a chance to create a positive tradition that the role of parents is crucial in the nurturing and development of children, and thus requires investment, focus, and commitment.

Watchman Nee pointed out that the responsibility of parents is great. "God has delivered our children's bodies, souls, thoughts, lives, and futures into our hands. No person can influence another's destiny more than parents can their children's." The duties of Christian parenthood flow from the nature of their God. Just as God is love, the first duty of parents is to love their children (1John 4:18). Because all children are wanted by God and are important to God, Christian parents seek to bring their children into God's presence, and God's presence into their children's lives through prayer. Because God is holy, Christian parents model righteousness to their children. Because they are the objects of God's grace through Christ, they model humility and gratefulness to God and show their gratitude by serving God. Since God makes us accountable, they not only teach their children their faith, they call upon their children to live by it, and lovingly provide guidance through careful, prayerful use of correction, approval, and rewards . As God seeks out the fellowship of people, Christian parents bring their children to the house of the Lord to seek fellowship with other Christian children. Just as God finally gives us free will, Christian parents have as their goal the maturing of their children so that they, in turn, can be effective Christian parents to grandchildren.

I request all the Parents to attend the service om May 25th

Together in Christ's Ministry